Last week, I watched as Barack Obama delivered the State of the Union Address (or, as some referred to it on social media, “Stories Obama Told Us” or “Socialism Of The Usurper”). As expected, Obama lied, ignored prominent issues and misled the general public. He effortlessly worked the teleprompter and vainly attempted to reinforce his waning popularity with glossy phrases of unity and false promises of America’s future. Such an impostor, that one. Thank goodness about 20 million less Americans tuned in to watch his sorry SOTU than did so in 2009.

I typically don’t watch Obama’s speeches, because I can’t stand his hypocrisy, rhetoric laced with lies and fake admiration for our country and her people. Pretense. Deception. All of it. And I really can’t take it when he becomes enraptured on a point and drives it home to thunderous applause of liberal aficionados, feeding his narcissistic nature.

Ever see the look in his eyes when that happens? Rather scary.

So once the stage show was over and political puppets and minions of both parties mingled, I regrouped by anticipating that the GOP response to be delivered by House Republican Conference Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., would refresh my heart and mind with an intentionally robust “Game On” plan for America.

I was sorely disappointed.

I wanted to hear a passionate rebuttal to Obama’s reckless, socialist handling of America backed by a direct plan of action, calling the president to accountability. But I didn’t hear that.

Instead, I heard a feel-good tale of an America from yesteryear, akin to Opie’s Mayberry, USA, a tale of a woman who rose from working in the family orchard picking apples to becoming a congresswoman. Inserted were methodical details of goal-setting, familial challenges and the typical political rhetoric ensuring us of better jobs, better people and a better future.

McMorris Rodgers preceded her nostalgic sentiments with this statement: “We want you to have a better life. The president wants that, too.”

Is the GOP hallucinating? Do they not grasp the propaganda, lies and destructive behavior of a president who unabashedly threatens to “act on my own” and continues to throw congressional approval out the door by unconstitutionally exploiting executive orders? A man who dictatorially threatens to use his pen and phone to get it done?

These lawless acts – among many others – equate to a “better life”?

I was stunned; I really was. Of all things to talk about, one’s humble farm life was not the appropriate topic to counter the dictatorial intent of the man in America’s highest seat of power. Hardly. I yelled at my laptop screen, “That’s not realistic! We’re not in Mayberry! Let’s get to the issues, the hard facts about the dire state of our republic!” And to say that Obama – with all his unconstitutional, heartless (think Benghazi) and socialist policies – wants a better life for Americans is downright insulting.

What is the answer, GOP? The passive SOTU response certainly is not the answer.

Is the answer ignoring Obama blaming the government shutdown on Republicans? Very early on in his message, Obama started slinging mud at the GOP. He was prepared to fight, casting stones at conservative Republicans who drew a line in the sand in opposition to Obamacare.

Is this response a message the party really believes will inspire its members to action and catch the ear of those whom we seek to enlighten about the real state of the union in which we find ourselves under this administration?

Is this a message millions of Americans resonate with?

In all sincerity I ask, “Is it?”

Let me be clear: I’m not sounding off on Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, her life’s achievements, political career, family dynamics or hope for America. I’m not. Those are admirable traits and achievements. I am, however, calling into question the objective of the GOP by delivering a fanciful message that is so out of touch with the current condition of America. I discovered this piece by Tammy Bruce, expressing that the GOP is “deliberately sabotaging the midterm elections” and used McMorris Rodgers as a sort of fall guy – or woman – to propagate their squishy message.

What is the answer, GOP? Give viewers the warm fuzzies of a bygone era and tuck us into bed with a warm glass of milk to make us feel better? That’s not reality.

Tara Setmayer of The Blaze mirrored my own angst by boldly articulating her disdain on national television via live stream and on Twitter. Like me, she was clearly confused as to how this lackluster response translated to relevant action. One of Setmayer’s tweets said it best: “TP [tea party] will rehabilitate the Republican message & remind folks what [i]t means to be a Republican.”

The GOP needs to get a real attitude about reclaiming America, because the warm fuzzies do not cut it. Or they can remain detached from reality in Mayberry, while tea-party Republicans like Sens. Mike Lee and Ted Cruz – and others – confront the boss man and revitalize our republic. Not by a pen and phone to be sure, neither by party passivity.